Liverpool suffered a big blow in their transfer plans a few weeks ago.
Yan Diomande, the club’s top target to replace Mo Salah, essentially rejeted a move to Anfield in favour of Paris Saint-Germain.
The Reds had been negotiating with RB Leipzig, tabling an offer in the region of €100million for the 19-year-old. Unexpectedly, however, Diomande’s representatives informed Liverpool that he preferred a move to the French capital. Even though PSG weren’t prioritising him at the moment. With Liverpool trying to get a deal done quickly, the inadvertently pushed Diomane into making a decision against them.
In a bizarre twist, though, Diomande now looks set to join Real Madrid. Los Blancos have gazumped the reigning European champions, who were looking to negotiate a favourable deal with RB Leipzig. If Diomande had joined PSG, Bradley Barcola’s time at the club was expected to come to an end.
The Frenchman could still depart. Barcola has turned down contract offers, and is seeminly unsettled with being Luis Enrique’s 12th man. According to reports, Liverpool have pivoted and made Barcola their top priority this summer. More importantly, though, the 23-year-old has also given the Reds priority ahead of a summe exit.
Ironically, in missing out on Diomande, Liverpool have somehow engineered a situation in hich Barcola is actively pushing to leave PSG. Sometimes, things happen for a reason.
But why, after failing to attract Diomande, have Liverpool settled on a move for Barcola?
Bradley Barcola transfer analysis
Revisiting old interest
Liverpool have been keeping tabs on Barcola for a while now. He was linked with a move to Anfield during his time with Lyon, before joining PSG. Liverpool have a history of doing this sort of thing. They identify a player and keep a close eye on them. If a market opportunity arises — and they feel there’s value for money in a deal — the Reds make their move.
Barcola falls into that category.
Yes, he’s a serial winner but he’s also got a chip on his shoulder having been relegated to a squad player at PSG. He’s already had that big money move so isn’t going to be tempted by that sort of transfer in the near future. In theory, Barcola is going to be firmly focused on proving everyone wrong and having success with Liverpool.
It’s rare for a player of Barcola’s quality and potential to find themselves in this situation. He has just two years left on his deal. The market for attackers is volatile at the moment but even PSG can’t turn down big money on a player who wants to leave. It weakens their hand in negotiations too, giving Liverpool a bit of leverage.
Liverpool know all about the player and have the upper hand with Barcola favouring a move there.
A multifunctional attacker
Liverpool are looking to bolster their attack this summer with a particular profile. It’s been mentioned in countless articles but Andoni Iraola’s side wants to add a multifunctional attacker to their ranks.
They want to add to their wide options following the departure of Mohamed Salah but they also need someone who can cover Alexander Isak centrally with Hugo Ekitike ruled out. Prior to the whole Ousmande Dembele as a false nine masterclass, Luis Enrique had used Barcola as a centre-forward.
The Frenchman has also been used on the right in Paris, and he was deployed on that flank during his time with Lyon, though he’s impressed lately with his performances from the left.
Barcola is the very definition of a multifunctional attacker. He’s deceptively tall too, coming in at over 6′, explosively quick and can handle himself physically. He can get in behind and hold the ball up. He ticks boxes galore for the new-look Liverpool attack in a post-Salah world.
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Increasing Liverpool’s threat
It’s going under the radar a little but Liverpool as a team now lack some serious firepower. Salah may have ended his Anfield career on a bit of a low but for the majority of his time with the club, he was a 20-goal-per-season attacker.
Isak was brought in to shoulder the burden of scoring in the future but the team wasn’t necessarily built around getting the best out of him. This summer transfer window seemed geared towards getting the best out of the striker but, even so, it was a risk to limit your team to one serious attacking threat.
Even an attack made up of Isak, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz and Diomande lacked goals.
Barcola changes the dynamic completely. The France international is a serious goal threat and a relentless runner in behind. He might not be a reliable supply line for Isak but his threat will create opportunities for the centre-forward and Liverpool will benefit from that as a team.